How to make the most of learning by video

Nation's Business, Feb, 1997

Much of the training in small companies is done with videos and conducted by supervisors and other nonprofessional trainers. To make their jobs easier and the training more effective, Video Arts, Inc., a Chicago-based provider of business training programs, offers these tips:

* At least two weeks before the course, inform participants and their managers of the training time, place, agenda, and objectives. If possible, use training rooms with plain walls, high ceilings, natural light, and adjacent rooms for group work and breaks.

* Become familiar with the video player and monitor and with switches and other controls in the room.

* Watch the video twice to familiarize yourself with the characters, story line, and examples. Note the numbers on the video footage counter so you can quickly locate scenes of particular interest to the group. Cue up the video before the group arrives.

* Never sit a group down and simply hit the play button. Explain the course goals; invite participants to introduce themselves. Aim for a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.

* Regularly check that your audience is still following the material by asking questions at random. Ask for opinions and examples, and get participants to suggest how training points in the video can be implemented in their situations.

* Have all participants complete a plan outlining the action they will take as a result of the training

* To make improvements, always ask participants to evaluate the course.